Balloon-stripping machine.



B. Vi EDWARDS.

BALLOKON STRIPPING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. I8, |913.

1,142,945. atented June 15, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

B. V. EDWARDS.

BALLOON STRIPPING MACHINE.

APPLlcAnoN mso APR.18.1913.

1,142,945. Patented Jne 15, 1915.y

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

TTHNEY B. V. EllWARDS.

BALLOON STRIPPING MACHINE.

APPLICATION HLED APH. I8, 1913. 1,142,945, Pajnted June 15, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

WIT/158858 /IWENTR A TORNEV Patented June 15, 1915..

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4 ggf INVENTUH @ww T g WIT/VESSES ATTORNEY STATESQPATENT OFFICE.

BRUCEV.' EDWARDS, OF NEWARK, JERSEY, ASSGNOR.: T0 EDWARDSENGINEER- ING @tMANUFAC'lll'IRING- COMP-ANY, 0F NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION F NEW'i JERSEY.'

etnoensrmrrme Meeniim Specicatn ,of Letters Patent.

Application vfiled April 18 191?. Serial No. 762,0 1s5- T0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, BRUCE V. EDWARDS, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Newark, county of lEssex, and State of New Jersey, have invented a certain neW and useful Balloon-Stripping Machine, of which the following is a specification.

This invention concerns the removing or stripping of flexible envelops from molds balloon so formed on the mold.

or forms and it is available for use in all cases where such removal or stripping 1s to be accomplished. In the manufacture of toy rubber balloons, for example, it is customary to form the rubber bag or envelop, which when inflated forms the balloon (and which will hereinafter be referred to as the balloon)y upon a mold or core which is generally pear-shaped in form and is provided with an axial projection or handle, upon which the neck of the balloon is formed, and by means of which handle the mold or core can conveniently be held and manipuT lated. This mold or core is coated with the material of which the balloon is to be formed, and which in the art as practised at the present time, is a solution of rubber in a suitable solvent, as by immersing the mold or core in a bath of the liquid material, which immersion may be repeated one or more times according to the thickness of the coating desired and drying'or curing the llVhen the article has been completed in this or any other equivalent manner it will be extremely strong and exible and elastic. The method of forming the balloon on the core, however,

forms no part of the present invention which is particularly concerned with the removing f of the completed balloon fromthe core.

As the mold or core used in the manufacture of toy balloons is necessarily of a form i generally7 similar to the form of the complete inflated balloon, but much smaller, or, in other words, is generally pear-shaped in form and the neck is comparatively slender,

considerable difliculty is encountered in re-v moving the balloon from the core, and up to the present time this removal has been ac complished, so far -as I am aware, entirely by hand, the material of the balloon at the neck being rolled manually back upon itself, in

much the same way as a stocking is turned inside-out, 4and this rolling upon 'itself is ,-:nntinued and the slender` neck of the balloon is stretched'over the mold or form until the roll is forced over the greatest diameter of the mold,- when the balloon will snap oil the outer end of the form, after the region of the greatest diameter has been passed, by reasonof the elasticity of the material of which it is made.` This operation of strip-A ping balloons from molds by hand is very tedious'and is accomplished only with extreme difficulty.

rEhe principali'object of the present inven- Patented June 15, 1915.

tion is to provide mechanical means for dop ingV workof the character referred to, and the apparatus shown herein, while particularly designed? for. stripping tov balloons from, pearshaped molds on which they are formed, is capable of use, generally when 'anyliexibld elastic envelop is to be removed from a mold orcore of any kind.

Other objects `of the presentinvention will appear in the course of this specification, and with the foregoing and related objects in view, my invention consists in the means andcombination's hereinafter set forth andI claimed.

While Ihave illustrateda specific embodi- 4ment of my invention for the purpose of afballoons from molds applies as well to theVY` removingof other flexible envelope from molds or cores of any kind. There are two principal effects necessary to be secured in stripping the balloon from the mold; the balloon must be rolled upon itself from the neck andmust be subjected 'to firm gripping pressure thrusting it outward and expanding on the form until the region of greatest girthis reachedor until it is entirely forced off the mold Wlhen the operation is to be performed by hand the handle of the mold may be gripped firmly by the operator with one hand and the other hand may be used for rolling theballoon back on itself and thrusting itv over and expanding it upon the mold. The form o f machine which lghaif'eillustrated serves only forrr gripping,

rolling up, expanding an`d thrusting o the balloon from the mold, and with the con-I I i structionof vmachine illustrated, the operator is depended upon for applying the nec'esf` sary endwise pull on the form .by grasping the exposed end or handle. -Mechanical means may be made use of for' pulling the moldl endwise if: desiredgi'but as a very greatly increased) number' of. balloons can be stripped from the molds over rior pra-c.- tice with the machine illustrated,3 in whichall the operator has to do is to pull the mold with the balloon thereon through the mameans, for this purpose."y

chine, thereby stripping the balloon rfromr the mold, I have notillustrated mechanica-l For stripping theballoon I preferably make use of a plurality of positively ro-v tated stripping wheels having a` friction surface and conforming as closely as possible to the surface 'of the mold upon which the balloon isformedT Wheels provided with a gripping surface of rubber may be conveniently and successfully employed for this 'pur-pose. although other friction inaterials may be used. It is necessary in advand positively maintained in closefcontactv with the surface of the mold, and to this' end I provide means for permitting-the rotating stripping wheels to be separated, but which nevertheless prevent any undue giving or loosening of the grip of the stripping wheels upon the xbead shaped roll of the balloon vmaterial which is being stripped from the mold.

Another feature of rnvv invention consists4 .in so, mounting thestripping wheels that they may be rotated lfvvhile being moved iniavard and outward toward and away from one another and in maintaining a space in the y ,l

be formed of a central disk -15 of rubber center Where the' actual stripping'proess takes place free and open, except for .the presenceof the stripping wheels, for; the 'admission of the mold with the balloon' thereon which is to be subjected@ the operation of stripping. In the drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which the same reference numerals are applied tp'the same parts O throughout, Figurel is a'rzont elevational 6 A bodylng my invention ;y Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view thereof; F1g."3'1s a crpss-sec view. ofan illustrative forinof machine emtional view takenon the line f, Fig. 2;

Fig. f1 is a detail, showing-the manner of connecting levers'to a slide forming part of the structure', and YFig. 5 is a cross sectional viewtaken on line 5J-5, F ig, 1.

- vIn' the said-drawingsreference n'umel'a 1 is applied to the .frameaof the.y device, which is 'shown as being 'octagonal in form, although it may' beef any form which will provide accomodation for ,the various supporting the Vframe' on 'any convenient support or foundation. The Aframe 1 is providedwlth a substantially central aperture [3, leaving Aple'ntyf'of 'roomin the center of the 7aperture for the admission of the articles to-.be operated upon. 'Within thecentral openingJ 3 a ring-shaped gear wheel 4 is rotatably received 'and the gear wheel 4 is workingparts; and a base 2 is .provided for provided with a flange 5 resting against the shoulder 6, and is 'held against this shoulder 'by suitable retaining means, as the ring/7 -secured tothe back of. theiframe 1, but not fitting closely enough tobind the esv gear wheel 4, and permitting the same to' rotate Within the frame. The gear Wheel v4'is .l

driven from any suitable sourcejofpower,

shown vthis 'movement of thv-stripping' i wheels is controlled by the camill 'which may also be duiven from anv suitable source lof power but may conveniently and advantageously be arranged as in the form of vconstruction shown, in yvhich the cam 11i is secured to and rotated with vthe gear wheel 4, so that the'prvision of separate or additional means for drivingv the cam 14 is dispensed with.

The stripping wheels 13 may conveniently" secured between .side disks 1,6, which are preferably of metal and-of lesser diameter than the central rubber disk; The central disk 1 5 of rubber or,A other'ifriction ma- Aterial is provided with a' peripheral groove roo 11o 11s e to conform as closely as possible to the form of the moldor core and to sccurcay Yfirm gripping action inthe balloon to be stripped. The stripping wheels' 13 are mounted upon the shafts 17 which are rotatably mounted in sliding frames 1S as by being journalcd between lugs 19 projecting therefrom. The slides 1 8 comprise cross heads `,20, slide rods`21. and cross bars 22. The ciossjioails Q0 und bars 22 serve to connect the slide rods 21 of which two are shown for each slide and to hold them in parallelism. vThe cross bars 22 are preferably made of comparatively thin material so that, being supported at their ends, they will give slightly when pressure is applied at the center. The slides 18 are mounted for sliding in suitable slide-ways formed on or secured to the frame. In the construction shown these slidewayswhich are designated by reference numeral 23, are formed separate from the frame 1 and are bolted thereto as at 24. These slide-ways are preferably U-shaped in form and are provided on each of their sides with apertures for the passage of the slide rods 21, and the side members 23 are preferably connected by a web or cross member 25, and springs 26 secured respectively to the cross heads 20 of the sliding frames 18 and to a stationary part of the mechanism, as for example the Ycrcss members 25 of the slide ways 23, serve to pull the slides 18 and the stripping wheels 13 carried thereby outward and separate This tendency of' them Jfrom one another. the stripping wheels to be separated from vone another, which is increased'by the action of the operator in pulling the mold through between the stripping wheels, is opposed-by members operatively connected with the cam 14. In the construction shown, these means comprise bell cranks 27 pivoted to the frame 1 or extensions thereof at 28,and pivotally secured to a slide 29 at 30. Provision is made at the point of pivoting 30 for slight endwise movement of the arms 31 of the bell crank 27 as by the provision of elongated slots 32. The outer arms of the bell cranks 27 rest against. the cross bar 22 of the slides 18 substantially midwaybetween the point of support thereof upon the slide bars 21, and the cross bars 22 being formed of comparatively thin material permit a slight give to the slides 18 when they are forced outward against the bell cranks 27 but such Vslight give, while sufficient to compensate for any smallirregularities in the mold or in the parts of the structure, is

not sufficient to prevent a rm contact of the stripping wheels with the mold and the balloon being'forced oi the mold. The slide 29 is mounted for sliding upon the frame' in anyrconvenient manner. As shown a slide loar'33 is secured thereto and is received in a slideway 34, which is secured to the frame 1 by means of the curved arms 35. Any suitable means for moving the slide 29 with the bell cranks 27 attached thereto from the cam 14 may be resorted to. In the construction shown, a lever 36 is pivptedin the frame at 37 and is provided with fa roller 38 bearing upon the rear cam surface of the cam 14,

and-is pivoted to theslide 29 as at 39, prol tive to the slide 29 which may be accomplished by means of the elongated slot 40. As will be apparent, the pull of the contractile springs 26 upon the slides 18 is imparted to the bell cranks 27 and tends to force the slide 29toward the cam 14 and thus serves to maintain the roller 38 on the lever 3G forcibly in contact with the cam 14.

Any suitable means for rotating the strip ping wheels 13 from the gear wheel 4 may be used. In the construction shown bevel gears 41 arev secured upon the stripping wheel shaft 17 and mesh with bevel gears 42. The bevel gears are secured to shafts 43 which are splined in the gears 44. mounted for rotation in the cross members 25 of the sliding frames 23 and meshing with the gear wheel 4. As the slides 18 are moving inward and outward the shafts 43 are moving lengthwise within -the gears 44 but being splined therein serve to impartcontinuous rotation to the bevel gears 42 and therefore to the stripping Wheels 13.

The operation of the apparatus will be clearly understood lfrom the foregoing. Rotation being imparted to the gear wheel 4 and cam 14, as by the application of power 4by suitable means to the sprocket wheel 8 and gear wheel 4 being turned in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 1, the stripping wheels 13' through the, connections which have been described are continuously rotated so that their adjacent sides travel toward the back ot' the machine, and this rotation continues at all times while power is applied notwithstanding the movements of the slides 18 and 'of the stripping wheels. 13 therewith. As the cam 14 is rotated with the gear wheel 4 the slide 29 is thrust to- Ward the left in Fi g. 3 by the roller 38 rid-L ing outward on the cam 14, thus throwing the frames 18 and stripping wheels 13 to gether, and at the point oi greatest outward movement of the cam 14, these slides and the stripping wheels 13 assume the position:y nearest one another as shown in Figs. 1 and .5. As the rotation of the cam is continued 14, and maintain the l'roller 38 inA constant i contact therewith, and the cam 14 'acting through the bell crank levers 27 in turn positively limits the outward movement of the slides 18 and stripping wheels 13 and posi-v tively maintains the latter infirm gripping contact with the mold or core and therballoon being stripped therefrom. The mold or core upon which the balloon is iormed isy indicated in dotted linesat 45 inFig. 5, the balloon .thereon is indicated in'dotted lines at 46 and the handlel of the mold is indi.- cated at 47. At 48 the bead formed by roilv ing the balloonjbackonits'el atts necklis furthest separation offithefvstripping Wheels 13 isypreferably somewhat 'greater than' the' greatest diameter of themoldgt', thus permitting'a'new. mold'with a balloon thereon 'to be inserted between -the strippingv wheels -13 11s-soon as the operation of stripping thc balloon from the moldlast operated upon has beenfcompleted. Thejrotation of the gear Wheel-4 and cam ll'being.c ;mti11uous,

the'stli'ipping wheels 13 rotatingin the di-V freotir o-f-the .arrow shown in Fig. 5, ap-

proaob ione.,anotherv and their friction .surface l5 comesfinto contact withv the. stem t9 ofthe=mold 45,; As-soon as the stripping 49' the operatorbeg'ins'pulling upon vthe handlet47 of the lmold 45 and, as the stripping wheels are continuously rotated .in the direction shown'in Fig. 5 end are permittcdif.Jln a`,device of the class described, the

combinationcfa-plurality of rotatable fricto separate as the slides 1S are movedoutward by the springs Q6 but are prevented from separating faster thanis required to accommodate the -lncrea'snner diameter of the mold ,45 by the bell-cranks 27,- slide 29, lever -36 and roller 38 inv contact withcthe cam-14,

the balloon'i's rolled. -baclr upon itselfand;

thrust upward, and o'utwardnpon the mold 45,1nd finally; isjthr'ust o'ti'the mold as the point otgreatest'di'ameter .is reached. Any suitable means '(not shown) may 'be Vprovided for collecting or conveving awa;7 the balloons lwhich have' been stripped from the- As soon as one mold from which molds. the balloon has been stripped has been ref moved from between the stripping wheels v13, another. is inserted with the balloon thereon and 'preferably' during the slightly continued outwardA travel of the stripping f soV riod.

, AWheels 13, so that a balloon may be stripped from a mold at' each'rotationof the `gear Wheel-1 and Lthe cam 14 although, of course, the stripping wheels 13 mav be permitted to approach one another and.' the succeeding mold with the balloon tobestripped there- ,from may be inserted at any subsequent pe- It will be apparent that the structure described and oneratedas above set forth re moves the 'diiiicult'y heretofore experienced in stripping balloons or other envelops from molds or cores and that'by itsuse it is readil)T possible to perform such stripping operation With Aextreme rapidityv and without Y any considerable effort on the part of the operator who has onlyv to insert themold with the balloon thereon between the stripping wheels 13 and pullthernold out a'sfqthe' strip'- ping wheels rotate and aresparated, `whereuponthe balloon'will be rolled'back upon itself andy oli' the end of the mold.

indicated. Whe;j the roller 38 has reached wheels 13 come into contact ,with the stem Having now described my invention, I claim:

l. In a device of the class described, the combination of a plurality of rotatable friction members mounted for radial movement toward and away from a; common center,

lmeans for moving said members radially toward and away from the common center while out of contact-with one another, and means for imparting rotation thereto simultaneously with the to and fro movement thereof, for the purposes set forth.

2. In a device of the class described. .the combination of a plurality of periplierallv groovcd rotatable friction members ,mouay L. ed for radial movement vtoward and aivajY- from a common center, means for moving the' said members to and away from `the common center while out "of contact with one another, and means/for imparting 'rotative movement thereto as said members are moved to and away from the common ccnf ter. for the purposes set forth.

tionv members mountedtor radial movement toward andavv'ay from a common center vwhile. out of contact 'with one another,

means for movingsaidV members to and away 'from the common center, and ,meansl common tol said 'friction lmembers for iinparting rotationv thereto during the to and fro movement thereof, and causing the sides -thcreof next to the common center to be rotated 1n the 1 poses set forth;

same direction', for the pur said friction members -for imparting rota-Yi' tion thereto, and causing the sides-thereof next to the common center to be rotated in the same direction during the to-.and 'fro/ movement of said, poses set forth. y ,l

5. In a device ofthe classdescribed,the' combination of a' plurality jofv rotatable 'wheels provided with friction surfaces and mountedfor radial movement ktoward and away from. a common center while o utf'of/t' members/for the pur contact with one another, means for movin'g said wheels toward and away from the Com- .y mon center, andmeans for Aimparting' rotavtlon thereto vduringgsald ra vdial movemer, forthc Purposes set forth f fffn In a device-fof the class ldescribed, vtheA combination ofv aplurality ofy rotatable wheels provided'l with'lperipherally `groored friction surfacesl "and:4 mounted for radial movement toward and away from a common j during said radial movement, for the purposes set forth.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination of a plurality of rotatable Wheels provided with friction surfaces and mounted for radial movement toward and away from a common center While out of contact vvith one another, meansvfor moving said wheels toward and away from the common center, and means common to said friction wheels vfor imparting rotation thereto, and causing e sides of said friction wheels next to the common center to be rotated in the same'direction, for the purposes set forth. v i'.

8. In a device of the class described, the combination of a plurality of rotatable Wheels provided with peripherally grooved friction surfaces andv mounted for radial movement toward .and away from a common center While out of contact With one another, means for imparting radial movement to said Wheels to and from the common center, and 'means common to said friction wheels for` imparting rotation thereto during the radial movement thereof,

and causing the sides of said friction Wheels next to the common center to be rotated in the same direction, for the Vpurposes set f orth.

5 V9. In a device of the class described, the combination of a plurality of rotatable friction members mountedfor movement toward and away from one another and interconnected means for controlling the to and fro movement of said friction members and for imparting rotation thereto during such to and fro movement, for the purposes set forth.

10. In a, device of the class described, the combination of a plurality of rotatable frictin members mounted for movement toi'ard and away fi'om one another and interconnected means for controlling the to and fro movement of .said friction members and for rotating said friction members so that adjacent sides thereof are moved in the same direction during such to and fro movement, for the purposes set forth.

11. In a device of the class described, the combination. of a plurality of rotatable Wheels provided with peripherally grooved friction surfaces mounted for movement to- 'j ward and away 'from one another and interconnected means for controlling the to and fro` movement ofsaid friction Wheels i and for imparting rotation thereto during such to and froniovement, for the purposesM set forth.

1'2. In a device of the class described, the combination of a plurality of rotatable wheels provided with peripherally grooved friction surfaces mounted for movement toward and away from one another and interconnected means for controlling the to and fro movement of said friction Wheels and u l n c for rotating said friction Wheels so that vadjacent sides thereof are moved in the same direction during such to and fro movement, for the purposes set forth.

13. In a device of the class described, the combination ofa plurality of rotatable fric tion members mounted for movement toward and awa y from one another and means comprising a common rota-table member for controllingv the to and fro movement of said friction members and for impai'tingrotation thereto during such to and fro movement, for the purposes set forth.

14. In a device of the class described, the combination of a plurality of rotatable frici tion members mounted for movement toward and away from one another and means comprising a common rotatable member for controlling the to and fro movement of said friction members and for rotating said friction members so that adjacent sides tliereof are moved in the same direction during such to and fro movement, for the purposes set forth.

15. In a device of the class described, the 9.3 combination of a plurality of rotatable wheels provided with peripherally grooved .frictionsurfaces mounted for movement toward and away from one another and means comprisingr a common rotatable member for 1Go controllimer the to and fro movement of said friction wheels and for imparting rotation thereto during such to and fro movement, for the purposes set forth.

16. ln a device of the class described, the 195 combination of a plurality of rotatable wheels provided with periplierally grooved friction surfaces mounted for movement toward and away from one another and means comprising a common rotatable member for 11g controlling the to and fro movement ofvsaid friction wheels and for rotating said friction wheels so that adjacent sides thereof are moved in the salme direction during such to and fi'o movement, for the' purposes set 115 forth.

17. In a device of the class described, the combination of a plurality of friction members mounted for rotation and radial-movement in planes radiating from a common 120,

axis, means for movingsaid friction members to and-away from the common` axis in said radiating planes and while out' of con tact with one another, and means for imparting rotation to cach thereof about its own axis in its various radial positions, sub- *stantiallY :is set forth.

for rotation and radial movement in planes radiating from a common axis, in eans for moving said members toand fro in said planes and While out of'contact with onej a'nother, and means forl imparting rotationto, each. thereof aboutits own axis inits various radial positions, substantially as set forth. j .19. In a device of the class described, the combination of a plurality o f rotatable I fric-A tion members mounted for rotation and ra.

dial movement in planes radiating 'from acommon axis, means for moving said members to and fro in said radiating* planes 4and while out of contact with one another, andl means common tothe friction members forl imparting rotation thereto in the various.I axial positions thereof, and causing the sides thereof next to the common axis to be rotated' in the same direction, substantially as set forth.

20. Inal device of the class described, the

I v:combination ofla plurality of peripherally' 'grooved rotatable friction members i'noiint 'ed'Y for rotatimy and radial movement in planes radiating from a common axis, means. for moving said members toward and away fromthefcommon axis in said radiating,A

gmembe'r's for imparting rotation thereto-'in planes andvwhile out of contact with one-'an-'f otlier, ,a ndf means common to said .friction the various radial lpositionsthereof, and

Imovement, substantially as setifortlil" '22.' In a device of the class described, the; f"

causing the` sides thereofnext tothe comel mon axis to be rotated in the same direction,`

substantially as set forth... .j i 21. In a device'of the class described, the combination of a plurality of, rotatable wheels provided with friction ysurfaces and mounted for rotation and iadial movement in planes radiating from a .common axis, means for movingr said wheels toward and' away from the common axis in said radiating planes and while outof Contact with one another, and means for imparting.-.rota-;f`

tion to each thereof about its own axis i!:iitsv` various radial positions during such" combination of4 a` plurality of rotatable4v wheelsA provided with peripherally grooved frictionjsnrfaces and mounted for rotation and radialgmovenient in planes radiating fromga cominonfaxis, means for moving said vtially aslset forth. Y.

, tion members in exce'ssof two, said friction ling the` to and from movement of sf tion` members and for imparting rotation thereto' during such to i 27. In

-interconnected means' for controllingfthe to 'means forvmoving said .wheels toward and away from the common 'axis insaid radial planes land while. out of contact'witlione j another, and means common to said friction Wheels for impartingrotation to each thereof about its own axis in its various radial f positions during such' .radial movement thereof, andcausing thepsidesoffthe said y friction wheels next` to the common'axis to be rotated inthe same-directie 24, In a device 'of the class described,tliel Y combination"r ofa` Yplurality.'of' 'Ii'ltafable'l Wheels provided withv 'peri'pherallyf--grooved`v i surfaces and mounted fon rotation''andradial movement in planes 'radiati'ng'fromfaj common axis, means 'to move `said vvwheels j contact with one ".another, and .means common togsaid frictionl .wheels orf-imparting.' v rotation to each thereof-.'-aboutlffitsown'gaxisf"- .in its various radial p `-ti nslkduringsuch" radial movement there ndcausingfthe sidesof Said wheels nexttoztliecommon -axis to be. rotated in the. 'same `direction',=substan 1 i'. l. tially assetforth. L 5.25. In a device of the classdescribed, thei a f combination of a plurality ofrotatablefrici members beingmounted for rotation and movement toward andl away fromy one an-V 1 other. 1n planes radiating'from a', cohmmon axis andA interconnected means for-.fontrole f'fricf and fro movement, substantially as set forth.

26.1.1 'combination of a plurality of rotatable fric- 105 tion members in excess of two, said friction members being mounted for'. rotation and` movement toward and away from'one another ,in planes radiating from a common ,f and `.interconnected meansr `for control- @'thevtof'and fro ,movement of said frictiongmem ers, so that adj acentsids thereof "dginthe same directionduring such' ofmovemennsubstantially as setl combination of a@ plurality of rotatable'friction wheels in. excess ,of two,` saidgfrictio'n wheels being provided with;- .peripherally 'f groovedv friction surfaces and-mounted for`4 rotation toward and away fromone another.` in planes radiating from a commonaxis, and

and fro movementofisaid frictionwheela: and for imparting rotation theretoduring .125 such to `and fro movement, ,substantiallyas'r set forth. v 28. In a device of the class described, the combination of a .plurality ofrotatable friction. wheels in excess of two, said friction icc inzadevice of the class described, the... A

Awheels being provided with peripherally grooved surfaces mounted for rotation and movement toward and away from one another in planes radiating from'a common axis, and interconnected means for controlling the to and fro movement of said friction wheels, and rotating said friction wheels so that adjacent sides thereof are moved in lthe same direction during such to and fro movement, substantially as set forth.

'29. In a device of the class described, the combination of a plnralitvv oi rotatable friction members in excess o two, said friction members being mounted, for rotation and movement toward and awa)v from one an- .other in planes radiating from a common axis, and means coinprisinal a common rotatable member for controlling tac to and fro movement of said friction members and for imparting rotation thereto during such to and fro movement, substantially as set forth. A

30. In a device of the class described, the combination of a plurality of rotatable friction members in excess of two, said friction members being mounted for rotation and movement toward and away from one. another in planes radiating from a common axis, and means 'comprising a common rotatable member for controlling the to and fro movement of said friction members and for rotating said friction members so that adjacent' sides thereof are moved in the same direction during such to and fro move--` ment, substantially as set forth.

31. In a device of the class described. the

combination of a plurality of rotatable friction wheels in excess of two, said friction wheels being,- provided with peripherally grooved friction surfaces and mounted for rotation and movement toward and away from one another in planes adiating from a common axis, and means comprising a common rctatable member for controlling tbe t0 and fro movement of said friction wheels, and for imparting friction thereto during such -to and fro movement. substantially as set forth.

In a device of tbe class described. the combination of a plurality of rotatable friction wheels in excess of two. said friction wheels being provided with periplierally grooved surfaces mounted for rotation and movement toward and away from one another in planes radiating from a common axis, and means comprising a'common rotatable member for 'controlling'tbe to and fro movement of said friction wheels, so that adjacent sides thereof are moved in the same directionduring such to and fro movement, substantially as set forth.

33. In'a device of the class described, the combination of a plurality of friction members movable toward and from one another,

spring actuated means for moving said friction members apart, and mechanical means driven from a common source of power for positively moving said friction members toward one another, substantially as set forth.

34. In a device of the class described, the combination of a pluralityv of grooved friction wheels movable toward and from one anotlie", spring actuated means for moving said wheels apart, and mechanical means driven from a common source of power for positively moving said wheels toward one another, substantially as set forth.

In a device of the class described, the combination of a plurality of rotating friction members movable toward and away from one another, spring actuated means for moving said members apart, means for rotating the said wheels in the various positions of their movement,` and mechanical means -driven from a common source of power for positively moving said friction wheels toward one another, substantially asl set forth. Y

36. In a device of the class described, the combination of a plurality of grooved friction wheels movable toward and away from one another, means for rotating said friction wheels so that their adjacent sides travel in the same direction during the various positions ofv their movement, spring actuated means for moving said wheels away from one another, and positive mechanical meansv `driven from a common source of power for moving said wheels toward one stantially as set forth.

3T. In a deviceof the class described, the combination of a plurality of rotatable friction members movable toward and away from one another-,spring actuated means for moving said friction members apart, 'posi-A tively actuated mechanical means for moving said members toward one another, and means for rotatingr said members, the last named means and said means for moving the friction members toward each other comprising a common rotating element, for the purposes set forth.

38. In a device of the class described, the combination of a plurality of rotatable friction members movabletoward and .away from one another, spring actuated means for moving said friction members apart, driving means, and means actuated from said driving means for retarding and positively controlling the separation of said friction another, submembers, for the purposes set forth.

39. In a device of tbeclass described, the

combination of a plurality/oflrotating friction wheels movable toward and away from of said friction wheels, and means for rotating said friction wheels in their various positions, substantially as set forth.

In a device of the class described, the combination of a pluralityof rotatable friction members movable toward and away from one another, spring actuated means for moving said friction members apart, positively actuated mechanical means -for moving said members toward one another, and means interconnected with'said mechanical means for rotating saidifrction members so that the adjacent sides thereof travel in the same direction, the last named means and said means for moving the friction members toward each other comprising a common rotating element, for the purposes set forth.

i 4l. In a device of the class described, the combination of a plurality of rotatablevfriction members movable toward and away from' one another, spring actuated means for moving said members apart, driving means, and means actuated from said driving means for retarding the separation vof said memsaid members toward onevl bers and moving another and acting'against'the saidv spring actuated means, for the vpurposes. set forth.

42. In a device ofthe class described, the combination of a plurality of rotating friction members movable toward and away trattiene another, spring actuated means for moving` said members apart, and positively actuatedmechani-calimeans driven fromA a common source of power for retarding the separation ffsaid members and 'for moving said members toward one another and acting against said spring actuated means, and

means for constantly rotating said friction members, substantially as set forth.v

43. In a device of the class described, the combination of a plurality of friction members, mounted for rotationV and for movement toward and away from one another in;4

planes radiating from a common axis', spring actuated lmeans for moving said 'members apart, andv vpositive mechanically actuated means for recurrently movingv said .movement towardand away from one another in planes radiating from a common axis,spring actuated means for moving said wheels apar-hand positive mechanically actuated means for recurrently moving said 'wheels toward one another, substantially asv set forth.' I

45. In a device of the class described, the

combination of a pluraliti7 of rotatable fric- ,"tion members mounted for rotation and for movement toward4 and away from one another in planes radiating from a commen axis, spring actuated means for moving said members apart, and positive nieclianically actuated means for recurrentlyl moving said members toward one another, substantially as set forth.

4G. In a device of the class described, the

combination of a plurality Aof grooved fricv rotating said wheels so that 'their adjacent rsides travel in the same direction, substantially as set forth.

47. Ina device of the class described, the combination of a plurality of rotatable friction members mounted for yrotation and for movement toward and away from one anywheels r'toward one another, and means for'` so.y

other in planes radiating from a common aXis, spring actuated means for moving said frictionmembers apart, and positively actui ated mechanical meansfor recurrently mov` ing said members toward one another, and

means for rotating Isaid members, the last named means and-said means for moving the friction members toward one another comprising a common rotating element, substantially as set forth. i 48. In a device lof the class described, the

combination of a.` plurality of rotatable friction members mounted for rotation'- and for 4movement toward and away from one another in planes radiating lfrom a common axis, spring actuated means for moving said friction members apart, and positive mechanically actuated means forretarding and controlling the separation of said friction i 05.

members, and for recurrently moving the friction members toward one another substantially as set forth.

49. In' a device of the class described, ther combination of a plurality of rotatable friction VV'members mounted forrota'tion and for movement toward and, away Vfrom o iieanother in vplaines radiating from a common axis, spring actuated meansforA moving said friction members apart, pofsitiveiAv mechanicallv actuated means .for retardiiig andi controlling the separation of said friction members, and for recurrentlyr moving the'f fricti on members 'toward one anotherand means for rotating said friction membersso that the adjacent sides thereof travel in the same direction, substantially as set forth.

50.111 a device of theeiasgaes'cabeditiie combination of a plurality,offrotatable` fri tion members mounted for i-rotation 'for movement toward and 'away 'Y one another in planesy radiating-from common axis, spring actuated-em moving said friction membersA apa tive mechanically actuated means for recurrently moving said members toward one another, Aand means interconnected with said mechanical meansforrotating said friction members so that the adjacent sides thereof travel in the same direction, substantially as set forth. Y

51. ln a device of the class described, the combination of a plurality of rotatable friction members mounted for rotation and for movement toward and away from one another in planes radiating from` a common axis, spring actuated means for moving said members apart, positive mechanically actuated means for retarding and controlling the separation of said members and for recurrently. moving said members toward one another, and acting against. the said spring actuated means, substantially as set forth.

52. In a device of the class described, the combination of a plurality of rotatable friction'members mounted for rotation and for movement toward and away from one another in planes radiating from a common axis, spring actuated means for moving said members apart, positive mechanically actuated means for retarding and controlling the separation of said members and for recurrently moving said members toward one another and acting against said spring actuated means, and means interconnected with said positive mechanically actuated means for constantly rotating said friction members, substantially as set forth.

53. In a device of the class described, the combination of a machine frame provided with a central opening and having a combined master gear and cam rotatably received therein and leaving a large opening at the center, a plurality of slides having friction vwheels rotatably mounted thereon, said slides being movable radially to and away from one another, splined shaft connect1ons for rotating said friction wheels from said master gear and means actuated by said cam for moving said slides and friction members toward and away from one another, for the purposes set forth.

54. In a device of the class described, the combination of a'machine frame, a plurality of friction Wheels, movable toward and' away from one another, meansfor imparting continuous rotation thereto, a spider-like rearward extension of said machlne frame provided with a guideway, a slide movable toward and away from the main frame in said guideway, means for imparting movement to said slide and bell cranks pivotally mounted on said f rame andconnected with said slide for controlling the movement of the friction wheels toward and away from one another, for the purposes set forth.

55. In a device of the class described, a. plurality of friction wheels each having a rubber friction surface and having a grooved friction periphery, a plurality of radially disposed slides in which said friction members are mounted foi` rotation, each of said slides being provided with a shaft for driving its frictionwheels, bevel lgear connection between said shafts and friction Wheels, fixed gears splined on said shafts and adapted to rotate said shafts and permit the same to be moved lengthwise therein, a'master gear engaging each of the last named gears, a cam attached to said master gear, a slide movable toward and away from said combined master gear and cam, a lever pivoted to the machine frame, a roller on said lever in contact with the surface of said cam, said lever being pivoted to'said slide, a plurality of bell crank levers pivot-r ed to the machine frame and pivotally at- 'tachedto said slide at the extremity of one 

